This week I report on new information and resources for schools around the Prevent Duty; the publication of updated guidance on promoting and supporting mental health and wellbeing in schools; confirmation that unions representing school support staff have accepted the 2022/23 pay deal; confirmation of a new Education Secretary and the Schools Bill to be discontinued as government focuses on economic matters alongside other priorities.

New information and resources for the Prevent Duty (DfE)
The government has updated and redeveloped its resources for schools around the Prevent Duty.  This includes guidance designed to explain the Prevent referral process and the statutory responsibilities to keep children, young people and adult learners safe from the risk of extremist ideology or radicalisation.  As well as a new self-assessment tool designed to assist schools in England to review their Prevent related responsibilities in line with Section 26 of the Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015 (CTSA) and the education inspection framework (EIF) 2022.

The tool will help schools to understand how well embedded their existing policies and practices are, and to encourage a cycle of continuous review and improvement. Use of the tool is not mandatory but contains both requirements and recommended good practice activities to meet those requirements.

Updated DfE guidance on promoting and supporting mental health and wellbeing in schools
Only minor updates have been made to the guidance, including adding a link to the government’s guidance on ‘Promoting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing’ and confirming that more than 500 mental health support teams will be working with and in schools by 2024.

Unions have accepted the local government pay offer
Unison, the GMB and Unite, unions which represent local government workers including school support staff, have accepted the 2022/23 pay deal, following consultations with union members. The pay award applies to maintained schools and academy trusts and a flat rate payment of £1,925 will be added to each pay scale with effect from 1 April 2022. Unions have called on schools to implement the pay rises as soon as possible which should be backdated to April 2022. Specific funding has not been allocated to support schools to deliver on this pay award.

New Education Secretary and Schools Bill to be dropped
As a result of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s first reshuffle of the Cabinet, Kit Malthouse left the post of Education Secretary and was replaced by Gillian Keegan.

The schools bill is set to be discontinued by the government as it focuses primarily on economic matters alongside other priorities. It is understood, however, that ministers are eager to legislate some elements of the bill that they see as most important in the next parliamentary session, beginning next May. This might include some academy regulation and intervention powers alongside the establishment of a register of children not in education and powers to tackle illegal schools. Such policies could be brought back as part of smaller bills, meaning they are less likely to be held up in the way the schools bill has been.

In another tumultuous week for the country I report on the announcement of £180 million of funding to improve children’s development in the early years and potential strike action by members of the NEU and NAHT if approved in national ballots.

Early Years funding
The government has announced funding of £180 million to improve children’s development in the early years. Aiming to put children’s education and skills back on track after the pandemic, the funding will be used to improve teaching of children’s early speech, language and numeracy, along with professional development. Among the planned strategies is a new universal online child development training offer to help staff improve their knowledge and understanding of children’s development.

Union strikes over pay “likely” to take place in January
The NEU has said teachers and support staff strikes over pay are “likely” to take place from the end of January next year if approved in a national ballot which will open next week. The NAHT has also confirmed that it will ballot its members on whether they want to strike over pay, for the first time in its 125 year history.

The move to industrial action follows the 5% pay rise agreed for teachers and headteachers, with increases rising to 8.9% for newer teachers as a step towards achieving a minimum starting salary of £30,000. The planned increases have been criticised amid current levels of inflation and the resulting cost of living crisis as well as off the back of years of real term pay cuts to the profession.

This week I highlight the publication of a new set of cyber-security standards for schools and the 2022 School teachers pay and conditions document, confirmation of £24 million government funding for children’s literacy and reports that some Headteachers have requested safeguarding is decoupled from the main inspection framework and yearly audits carried out instead.

New cyber-security standards for schools
The DfE has updated its ‘Meeting digital and technology standards in schools and colleges’ guidance, adding a new section covering a new set of cyber-security standards for schools to support them in protecting their IT systems.

STPCD 2022 released
The DfE has published the ‘School teachers’ pay and conditions document’ (STPCD) for 2022, which reflects the 2022 pay award. The document confirms that a 5% increase will be applied to all pay and allowance ranges and advisory points, with higher increases to some parts of the main pay range as a step towards achieving a minimum starting salary of £30,000.

£24 million Government funding for children’s literacy
The Government has announced £24 million in funding has been set aside to continue to support children’s literacy and phonics skills following the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The funding will go towards building on the impact of the English Hubs Programme, which enables schools to implement high-quality phonics teaching and access literacy specialists. The boost will enable the government to hit its target of 90% of primary school pupils achieving the expected standard in literacy and numeracy by 2030.

Ofsted declines calls for separate safeguarding inspections
Ofsted has rejected requests by some headteachers for safeguarding to be “decoupled” from the main inspection framework and have its own yearly audits. The discussion was recently brought up in a committee inquiry into misogyny in education settings, where Ofsted’s national director for social care, Yvette Stanley, argued that safeguarding could not be assessed solely as it is intertwined with “the culture and leadership of the school”.

This week I highlight publication of the provisional information on the 2022 phonics, KS1 and KS2 assessments, updated secondary accountability measures guidance, a free webinar on school budget pressures and the role of governance, a couple of helpful documents in relation to aspects of safeguarding and the new School admission appeals code.

Provisional information on KS1 and 2 assessments released
The DfE has published provisional information on the 2022 phonics screening check and assessments at KS1 and provisional results for the 2022 national curriculum assessments at KS2. The KS1 information can be found here and the KS2 information can be found here.

Updated Secondary accountability measures guidance
The guidance has been updated for 2022 to include further information about KS4 accountability arrangements and the use of 2021/22 performance data. It sets out further detail on the methodological changes made reflecting that results from qualifications achieved between January 2020 and August 2021 will not be used in performance measures.

Free Governors for Schools Webinar: School Budget Pressures – The role of governance on Thursday 20 October from 8-9am. 
As inflationary pressures mount, the role of governors in balancing school budgets has never been more crucial. In conjunction with Better Governor you can join a discussion around the role that governors play in managing this important challenge.  To register use this link to visit the Governors for Schools website.

Safeguarding
As the 2022 version of KCSIE came into force on 1 September a couple of organisations have produced additional helpful guidance as follows:

• Online searches on shortlisted candidates – education law firm Browne Jacobson has produced a helpful FAQ on the topic.
• Low-level concerns policy – law firm Farrer & Co has produced guidance which provides further clarity and reflection of best practice in this area.

School admission appeals code 2022
The new appeals code, which replaces the ‘Draft school admission appeals code 2022 (correction)’, became effective on 1 October 2022 and is applicable to all appeals lodged on or after that date.

This week I highlight publication of the latest DfE School Governance update and confirmation of the examinations and grading plan for next year.

September 2022 DfE School Governance update
The September school governance update provides information on the Energy bill relief scheme, publication of the Academy Trust Handbook 2022, updated guidance on governance processes in federations, the online service Inspiring Governance which recruits governors and trustees for schools and trusts, governors and trustees views sought on school food guidance and training, updated information on the Risk Protection Arrangement in relation to cyber cover and regulatory mock trials.

Confirmation of exams and grading plan for 2023
The Government has confirmed that next year’s GCSE and A-level grades will return back to pre-pandemic levels, albeit with a “soft landing” and exam aids will be allowed in some subjects. The DfE has said senior examiners will use the grades achieved by previous cohorts of pupils, along with prior attainment data, to inform their decisions about where to set grade boundaries. Advance information, which was used last academic year to help students target their revision, will not be available again, however formulae and equation sheets will remain in GCSE mathematics, physics and combined science.

A consultation will be launched to “futureproof” exams and this includes guidance for schools about how to gather consistent evidence to ensure “preparedness” should exams need to be cancelled ever again. Exams boards body the Joint Council for Qualifications will consult on maintaining extra spacing between exams next summer and it will be proposed that the expectation pupils engage with unfamiliar and abstract material, such as unfamiliar vocabulary, in modern foreign language GCSE exams will be removed from next year onwards.

This week I highlight confirmation that the government will provide support for schools with their energy bills this autumn as well as updated guidance published for maintained schools on completing the Schools Financial Value Standard and for academies on completing the School Resource Management Self-Assessment Checklist.

Government confirms 6-month energy bills support for schools
This week the government has confirmed its plans to help schools and other non-domestic energy users with their energy bills this autumn. Ministers say their plan to reduce rates to a “government-supported price” of £211 per megawatt hour for electricity and £75 for gas will equate to a saving of £4k for a school paying £10k a month for energy. For comparison, the government said wholesale costs this winter are expected to be around £600 per megawatt hour for electricity and £180 for gas.

Updated guidance on the Schools Financial Value Standard
The DfE has made changes to the guidance and checklist to reflect expectations for this academic year and in section E on value for money, updates on threshold values for public procurement, good estate management and the get help buying for schools service.

Updated guidance on the School Resource Management Self-Assessment Checklist
Similarly the DfE has made some minor changes to the guidance for academies when completing their checklist which helps them check they are managing resources effectively and identifying any adjustments they need to make.

This week I highlight the delay to the Schools Bill, an announcement due on the government’s support scheme for energy bills, the Governors for Schools Virtual Conference on 27-28 September and the results of the NGA’s latest governance survey.

Delay for Schools Bill
Prime Minister Liz Truss has delayed the Schools Bill’s progress through Parliament. The Bill’s third reading in the House of Lords was postponed, with a new date “to be announced”. The delay is reportedly part of a full review of all current legislation being conducted by Ms Truss.

Latest information on energy costs
According to a spokesperson for the Prime Minister, the government will confirm further details of its supports scheme next week.

Governors for Schools Virtual Conference (27 and 28 September)
As reported at the end of last academic year registration for this free virtual conference is now open and over the two days there are a range of sessions including academisation, governor recruitment and succession planning, a review of the September 2022 version of Keeping Children Safe in Education and improving attendance. 

Please note that you must register for every session individually, as each comes with a unique Zoom link.

Findings from the NGA’s annual governance survey
The findings from the NGA’s latest survey has revealed the emerging challenges schools and trusts have faced over the past year.  The NGA has produced three reports exploring the different angles of governing.

Over 4,000 governors responded to the survey and the top strategic priorities for governing bodies were:

• Ensuring a broad and balanced curriculum
• Improving attainment
• Support for pupils with SEND
• Pupils mental health and wellbeing
• Staff wellbeing, including workload

and top three challenges facing schools and trusts were:

• Balancing the budget
• The attainment of disadvantaged children
• Staff wellbeing, including workload

What a start to the new academic year with a new Prime Minister and Education Secretary confirmed as well as the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

This week I provide information on the new Education Secretary, an update on energy costs, new requirements on what schools publish online, expectations for schools with RPA and guidance on accessing support from school hubs.

New Education Secretary
On Tuesday the new Prime Minister, Liz Truss, announced her Cabinet and the current Education Secretary was promoted to the position of Foreign Secretary.  The new Education Secretary is Kit Malthouse, the MP for North West Hampshire who was previously a minister for crime and policing.

Update on energy costs
Yesterday the Prime Minister promised a six month energy “guarantee” for the public sector.  The announcement was welcomed by education leaders, amid widespread warnings soaring costs were unaffordable.  However, few further details have been released and it is unclear how much of schools’ soaring costs will be covered in practice.

What information schools publish online
This week the DfE published updated information on what maintained schools and academies must or should publish on their websites.  These include new requirements for schools to publish their school uniform policy and information on their opening hours.

Expectations for schools under the RPA for cyber cover
The DfE has now actioned its expectations for schools under the risk protection agreement (RPA) in order for them to qualify for cyber cover. One of these requirements includes having a cyber response plan in place.

Guidance on accessing support from school hubs
A hub is a strong school or partnership of schools and other organisations, designated by the DfE, that help other schools develop and improve their practice. This guidance explains the support that different hubs offer and who can access this support.

Whilst it isn’t a Friday I know that many schools are breaking up today and tomorrow rather than on Friday so I thought it sensible to provide my last update of this academic year now!

Governors for Schools Virtual Conference (27 and 28 September)
Registration for the Governors for Schools Conference 2022 is now open. All sessions are free to attend, with content tailored for a range of audiences, including prospective and current governors, MAT trustees, schools leaders, and more.

Sessions include academisation, governor recruitment and succession planning, a review of the September 2022 version of Keeping Children Safe in Education and improving attendance.  Please note that you must register for every session individually, as each comes with a unique Zoom link.

Government accepts pay recommendations from the School Teachers’ Review Body (STRB)
Yesterday, the STRB published its recommendations for teachers’ pay in the 2022/23 academic year. The government then accepted the recommendations in full, meaning teachers across England will receive a 5% pay increase. Starting salaries will rise by 8.9% as planned, as part of the pledge to raise starting pay to £30,000. This means teachers early in their career will receive rises of between 5 and 8.9%.

HSE to begin school inspections from September 2022
The HSE has announced it will be carrying out inspections to assess how primary and secondary schools are meeting their legal duty to manage risks from asbestos starting in September this year.

HSE inspectors will contact the school to arrange a suitable date and time for the inspection and may request certain documents in advance of the visit, e.g. the school’s asbestos register and management plan.

This week I report on updated Ofsted inspection framework and handbooks as well as updated DfE guidance on Behaviour in schools, Suspension and permanent exclusion from schools and Searching, screening and confiscation at schools which all come into force from September 2022, and also the announcement by the UKHSA that all primary pupils will be offered a flu vaccination in the Autumn term.

Updated Ofsted inspection framework and handbooks
In preparation for September, Ofsted has reviewed and updated its inspection framework and handbooks. The current Section 8 and Section 5 handbooks have now been merged into the schools inspection handbook for September 2022 and the school monitoring handbook.

Changes include the curriculum grace period, which has been in place since 2019, coming to an end.  The ‘quality of education’ judgement now contains a new grade description, “acknowledging that settings are no longer facing emergency measures and are taking longer-term approaches to return pupils and learners to the curriculum they always intended”.

Ofsted has also updated the way it refers to the different types of inspection in its school inspection handbooks. Full section 5 inspections will now be referred to as ‘graded inspections’, while shorter section 8 inspections of ‘good’ and ‘outstanding’ schools will now be called ‘ungraded inspections’.

Updated guidance on Behaviour in Schools, Suspension and Permanent Exclusion from Schools and Searching, Screening and Confiscation at School
This week the DfE has published updated guidance around behaviour in schools, along with the powers schools have to screen and search pupils and to confiscate items they find, as well as statutory guidance on suspension and permanent exclusion from schools.  All of these documents will come into force on 1 September 2022.

Flu vaccinations to be offered to primary school pupils in the Autumn
The UK Health and Security Agency has announced that all primary school pupils in England will be offered a flu vaccination in the Autumn term. The vaccinations will be given by the NHS school-aged immunisation service.

.